Encouragement for Today- October 12, 2020

October 12, 2020 Share Your Stuff; Serve the Lord KAREN EHMAN Lee en español “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” Hebrews 13:16 (ESV) My husband and I stood at the cellphone store, waiting for our turn at the counter. Just then, one of our son’s high school friends walked in the door. I hadn’t seen him in nearly a year, and instinctively, my role as “Mama Karen” to any teenagers in sight kicked in. “Dominguez!” I cheerfully exclaimed as I gave him a quick hug. (This guy preferred to go by merely his last name.) “It is so great to see you! Are ya hungry, honey?” Puzzled, he sheepishly answered, “Umm … Mrs. Ehman, that’s really nice of you. But … we’re in a store.” My husband and I both burst out laughing. For years, any time this young man walked into our kitchen, I’d ask if he was hungry and then fix him something to eat, even if it was last night’s leftovers. Simply seeing him at the cellphone store made me kick back into mama mode, not even realizing we weren’t in my kitchen. Here’s the thing about sharing with others in a hospitable way: We can do it no matter where we are. We can have a welcoming demeanor and open-hearted (and open-handed!) attitude anywhere — at home or while running errands. It just takes a little life perspective that can be found in today’s key verse: “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God” (Hebrews 13:16). See those four little words, tucked tight in the middle of this sentence? Share what you have. We may not feel like we have a lot, especially when we compare our homes and food to what we see on TV or on our favorite lifestyle influencer’s social media page. But this verse gives no instructions about accumulating lovely décor or preparing fancy foods. It simply tells us to share what we have, even if it’s reheated leftovers. Are you single and living in an apartment? Do you have a TV and a kitchen table, albeit the hand-me-down sort? Do you have enough cash to purchase dinner, even if it’s two-for-one subs and some fruit for dessert? Share what you have. Do you work in an office building surrounded by coworkers in cubicles? Do you have the resources to whip up a batch of muffins to take to work on a dreary, rainy day, thereby lifting the spirits of your colleagues? Share what you have. Are you a mom of littles who’d love to escape to the park for a day of sunshine and refreshment? Could you pack some simple sandwiches and cut up veggies to take along, inviting a few other mothers and their children to join you? Share what you have. When we go through life willing to share what God has given us, we see from today’s key verse how it makes Him feel: “… such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” All around us are people in need of encouragement. What can you do to lift their spirits? It may mean speaking a kind word. It could be sharing a modest meal. It could be giving them the gift of a listening ear or a prayer spoken in faith. Whatever you possess — materially or emotionally — determine to be a person who regularly and cheerfully shares what she has. Even small sacrifices — of our time or resources — please the Lord.  Let’s reach out this week and willingly bless others with a portion of the provisions Christ has already lavished on us. Father, may I become a person who willingly shares what I have with others, showing them Your love as I do so. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. TRUTH FOR TODAY: Acts 4:32, “Now the entire group of those who believed were of one heart and mind, and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but instead they held everything in common.” (CSB) RELATED RESOURCES: Karen Ehman’s latest book releases soon! Preorder Reach Out, Gather In: 40 Days to Opening Your Heart and Home by October 19 and receive a bonus package of resources, including menu-planning and shopping sheets, make-ahead recipes, a monthly clutter-busting and cleaning plan, and simple decorating ideas using items found in nature. CONNECT: Head to Karen’s blog today where she is celebrating the release of her new book, Reach Out, Gather In, by giving away a kitchen prize package worth over $300. REFLECT AND RESPOND: When you think of the phrase, “Share what you have,” what comes to mind? What do you have? With whom can you share it? Mark your calendar now to follow through and share some of what God has given you with someone else very soon. We’d love to hear from you! Share your thoughts in the comments. © 2020 by Karen Ehman. All rights reserved. Proverbs 31 Ministries 630 Team Rd., Suite 100 Matthews, NC 28105 www.Proverbs31.org

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Encouragement for Today- October 13, 2020

October 13, 2020 When Things Get Worse Just Before They Get Better LYSA TERKEURST Lee en español “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.” Matthew 7:24-25 (NIV) Home renovations are so very similar to heart renovations. This is something I’ve been learning over the last couple of years as I’ve watched my nearly 30-year-old home undergo several renovation projects. They are not for the faint of heart. These projects cause a mess, the results are sometimes slow to take shape, and the process can feel never-ending. With each floor that’s torn up, wall that’s removed and plan that’s put in motion — I’m paying attention. As I’ve seen portions of our home demolished beyond recognition and put back together again, I’ve jotted down some important lessons I’ve learned. And I want to pass them along from my journal to yours. 1. You have to tear some things down before you can build back up in new and beautiful ways. It’s impossible to see true transformation unless you remove the damaged and unhealthy portions first. Houses and people are alike in this way. Sometimes we have to remove what was so we can move on to what can be. 2. Working on the foundation isn’t the most appealing or attractive work, but it is some of the most important. Jesus spoke of this truth in Matthew 7:24-25: “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.” I especially love how Eugene Peterson paraphrases our key verses in the Message translation: “These words I speak to you are not incidental additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundational words, words to build a life on. If you work these words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who built his house on solid rock. Rain poured down, the river flooded, a tornado hit — but nothing moved that house. It was fixed to the rock.” Building our lives on anything but God’s Truth will result in a shaky foundation — a detriment to any building project before it even begins. We must put in the necessary, hard work of building our lives and our faith on the solid ground of Scripture through the consistency of daily seeking God. 3. Not everyone is going to like what you’re doing. Change invites both compliments and criticism. Sometimes people criticize what they don’t understand. My counselor, Jim, often tells me, “People are down on what they aren’t up on.” While change is good, people who don’t like change will be the last to call it good. Just remember what comes out of someone else’s mouth is a reflection of their heart, not yours. People criticize what they don’t understand. 4. It’s good to stay humble enough to realize sometimes you need to get the professionals involved. Some things you can do on your own, and some things you can’t. Many small repairs can be handled without the help of a professional, but most large renovations that require major work must be handled with care by those who are skilled and experienced. The same is true with the deeper emotional work in our lives. There are doctors, Christian counselors and therapists trained to bring renewed health and restoration to both body and soul. My family and I have benefited greatly by bringing in the professionals in seasons when it was necessary, and we’re so grateful we did. 5. Those who don’t lose sight of the progress being made will find joy in the process. And it’s always a process. Renovations often make things worse during the tear out and early construction phases before things start to get better and more beautiful. The same is true with healing the human heart. Heart renovations, like home renovations, take diligence, patience and a whole lot of prayer. But with God as our Master Carpenter, we can live assured in the process … we are a beautiful work in progress. Renovations often make things worse before they get more beautiful. The same is true with the healing human heart. Track the progress you do see. Be patient with the setbacks. Celebrate the wins, even the small ones. Stacks of small wins turn into big wins. And eventually, you’ll be so glad you pressed through the renovation when you see the beauty of all the hard work. God, thank You for the work You are doing in my heart and life. Help me have patience in the midst of these renovations. And help me see the beauty that is taking shape and the joy that can be found even here in this season. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. TRUTH FOR TODAY: Psalm 51:10, “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” (NIV) RELATED RESOURCES: Get honest about the relational hardships preventing you from being emotionally healthy with 12 questions to help you move toward healing now with the help of Lysa TerKeurst’s FREE resource, “Stop Dancing With Dysfunction: 3 Days to Setting Better Boundaries.” Sign up here today. What if forgiveness is the necessary step to finally experience the peace we desperately want? Discover what the Bible really says about forgiveness and the peace that comes from living it out with Lysa’s new book, Forgiving What You Can’t Forget. Preorder your copy now. CONNECT: Keep up with the latest from Lysa TerKeurst when you visit her website. REFLECT AND RESPOND: Which point from today’s devotion encouraged you the most in the midst of your own heart and life renovations? We’d love to hear from you! Share your thoughts in the comments. © 2020 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved. Proverbs 31 Ministries 630 Team Rd., Suite 100 Matthews, NC 28105 www.Proverbs31.org

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Encouragement for Today- October 14, 2020

October 14, 2020 God Hears Your Prayers for Your Marriage FRANCINE RIVERS Lee en español “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” Matthew 7:7 (NIV) My husband, Rick, and I celebrated our golden wedding anniversary on December 21, 2019. We often look at each other and wonder aloud, “How has that much time passed so quickly?” I still remember our wedding day, which was full of excitement and anxiety. What were we thinking when we planned a Christmas wedding? Well, that evening was the only time the church was available. Serving in the Marine Corps at El Toro, a 10-hour drive away, Rick had not been involved with all the preparations. All he had to do was show up, but even that was proving a challenge. A Marine serves at the pleasure of the Corps, and one commanding officer thought it was funny to refuse permission for leave to get married. That wasn’t the only reason I had bridal jitters. What if Rick changed his mind? What if he decided I wasn’t good enough for him and he’d rather wait for someone better to come along? I’d heard stories of brides left at the altar. Would Rick have second or third thoughts and decide to call the whole thing off? Burdened by guilt over mistakes I’d made, all of which made me feel unworthy to be his wife, I would have been broken and crushed, but I wouldn’t have blamed him. I felt a mingling of surprised relief and joy when Rick appeared at the front of the church, looking straight at me, waiting. We’d known each other since fifth grade, but we’d both been through a lot in the intervening years. Life had battered and bruised both of us in different ways. Neither of us knew the full extent of the damage or what we were getting in a spouse. After the service, the reception confirmed our oneness. We received guests, cut the cake and opened gifts. Then, Rick and I headed off on our honeymoon. Oh, how romantic. But it wasn’t long before the differences between two melded people showed up. One thrifty; the other a spendthrift. One liked to get from point A to point B directly, while the other wanted to meander and stop to take pictures. Hidden addictions reared their ugly heads. Another learning curve was parenthood: joy and fun mingled with trials and tribulations. One parent a rigid disciplinarian, and the other wanted to be a friend. We did a lot of shouting in the early days and a lot of making up too. We were strong-willed people, each absolutely convinced his or her way was right. We came near to divorce several times. We were both stubborn and miserable, thinking the other was to blame and should change. Eventually, I started to learn I couldn’t change anyone. I couldn’t even change myself. That’s when I became willing to try anything — even reaching out to God — to stop the pain and anger. God listens to His wandering, bleating sheep, and He knew when this bride was ready to listen and learn. When we finally gave up and sought God, everything changed. God proved Himself faithful in my marriage when I followed Jesus’ invitation in Matthew 7:7, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” We asked, and God started changing us. Rick and I started our mornings together, a time that remains precious. We fanned each other’s dreams and helped each other step out in faith and take risks to achieve them. The gospel of Jesus Christ opened our hearts and poured life into our souls. Whenever I had a problem, the Lord was the last one I would seek for answers. Now I recognize His loving hand was on me from the time I was born. He was always near, and still is. In every tempting and potentially life-damaging situation, God had offered a way of escape. I chose not to take those. Even so, God never stopped loving me. And now that I walk with Jesus, He has used what Satan meant for my destruction for His good purpose, not only in my life, but also in the lives of others. He can do the same for you. Lord, thank You for knowing what is best for my life. Teach me and show me the ways I am not fully surrendering to You and give me the strength to do so. I want to live my life fully for You! In Jesus’ Name, Amen. TRUTH FOR TODAY: Luke 9:23, “Then he said to them all: ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.’” (NIV) RELATED RESOURCES: Redeeming Love: The Companion Study is a powerful six-week study, revealing life-changing Bible truths, to accompany the classic, bestselling Christian romance novel, Redeeming Love. This study offers fans new and old a meaningful way to explore the book’s message and go deeper into the story’s biblical ties. Using excerpts from the novel and quotes from Scripture, Francine Rivers walks readers through the main character’s healing journey, showing how her unworthiness, fear and emptiness are ultimately exchanged for the fullness of knowing God’s unconditional, redemptive, all-consuming love. Get your copy here. You can also find out more about Francine Rivers and Redeeming Love: The Novel here. CONNECT: For more encouragement from Francine, connect with her at her website. Enter to WIN your very own copy of Redeeming Love: The Companion Study, by Francine Rivers. To celebrate this book, Francine’s publisher will give away 5 copies! Enter to win by leaving a comment here. {We’ll randomly select 5 winners and then notify each one in the comments section by Monday, October 19, 2020.} REFLECT AND RESPOND: What is one area of your life you need to surrender to the Lord today? Write down the areas in your life that have been a struggle to let go of, and pray for the Lord to help you. © 2020 by Francine Rivers. All rights reserved. Proverbs 31 Ministries thanks WaterBrook & Multnomah for their sponsorship of today’s devotion. Click here to view our policy on 3rd party links. Proverbs 31 Ministries 630 Team Rd., Suite 100 Matthews, NC 28105 www.Proverbs31.org

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